GuildSomm Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Mount Etna with Benjamin Spencer Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

In the latest episode of GuildSomm: Into the Glass, host and Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe chats with Benjamin Spencer, an American journalist and winemaker who now lives on Mount Etna in Sicily. Benjamin is the director of Etna Wine School and the author of The New Wines of Mount Etna. Chris and Benjamin discuss the history of winemaking on Mount Etna and cover grapes, styles, and producers to know. Be sure to listen all the way to the end for a blind tasting bonus!

Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!

Learn more about Etna Wine School: https://etnawineschool.com

Read Benjamin's book: https://etnawineschool.com/shop/the-new-wines-of-mount-etna/

Dive into our Southern Italy expert guide to keep learning: https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2647/italy-part-iv-southern-italy

Tasting: Grüner Veltliner Profile Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

In the latest blind tasting episode of GuildSomm: Into the Glass, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe takes a different approach to the study of blind tasting with a close look at Grüner Veltliner. He discusses the typicity of Grüner Veltliner and demystifies some misunderstood characteristics of the variety.

Be sure to check out all the resources on GuildSomm.com, including our tasting materials and our new infographics on the typicity of classic grape varieties. Start here: https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/staff-training/b/new/posts/tasting-la-cata

If you're not yet a GuildSomm member, check out our summer membership opportunity! Stay sharp this summer with full access to GuildSomm for three months at the discounted rate of US$35. Sign up by August 31: https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/b/announcements/posts/summer-membership-offer

Our latest article is a spotlight on the London wine industry, featuring an impressive group of London wine professionals: https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/articles/b/spotlight/posts/london-spotlight

Thanks for listening and supporting our efforts here at GuildSomm. If you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!

Rhône Varieties with John Alban Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

In the latest episode of GuildSomm: Into the Glass, host and Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe chats with the one and only John Alban of Alban Vineyards in the Edna Valley of California. John has been a champion of Rhône varieties through his entire winemaking career, and he was a pioneer in bringing Rhône vine material to the US in the 1980s. He is the founding director for Hospice du Rhône and has been made an honorary citizen of Condrieu and Côte Rôtie for his remarkable accomplishments.

Listen in to learn about John's wine journey, the Rhône Valley, and the success of Rhône grapes in California.

Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!

Learn more about Alban Vineyards: https://www.albanvineyards.com

Read our Rhône Valley study guide: https://www.guildsomm.com/learn/study/w/study-wiki/155/rhone-valley-and-southern-france

Don't miss your chance to explore all of GuildSomm's offerings at a reduced rate this summer! Sign up for our summer membership before August 31: https://www.guildsomm.com/recurly/v1/join

Blind Tasting with Doug Frost and Jonathan Eichholz May 28, 2025

Show notes

In the latest blind tasting episode of GuildSomm: Into the Glass, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe pours a flight of three red wines for Master Sommelier and Master of Wine Doug Frost and Master Sommelier Jonathan Eichholz. Doug is a partner in Echolands Winery, located in the Walla Walla Valley of Washington, and he also helps run the American chapter of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale.

Learn more about Doug: https://www.mastersofwine.org/doug-frost-mw Explore our new staff training on tasting, perfect for beginning your tasting journey or training your team: https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/staff-training/b/new/posts/tasting-la-cata If you're an intermediate taster, don't miss our study guide on tasting: https://www.guildsomm.com/learn/study/w/study-wiki/2683/tasting

Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!

Chile with Amanda Barnes May 13, 2025

Show notes

In the latest GuildSomm podcast, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe speaks with newly minted Master of Wine Amanda Barnes about the state of the Chilean wine industry. They discuss how to understand Chile's geography and wine regions, the country's wine history, and grapes to know.

Amanda Barnes works as a freelance writer, covers South America for JancisRobinson.com, and consults for restaurants. She wrote The South America Wine Guide, which is one of the best guides to the wines of the continent.

Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, leave us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!

Learn more about this topic and read Amanda's bio on our site: https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/podcasts/b/guild_podcasts/posts/chile-with-amanda-barnes-mw

Listen to our interview with Amanda on Argentinian wine: https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/podcasts/b/guild_podcasts/posts/argentina-with-amanda-barnes GuildSomm members receive a discount on Amanda's book: https://www.guildsomm.com/about_us/member-discounts/

Not yet a member? Learn more here: https://www.guildsomm.com/recurly/v1/join

Blind Tasting with Max Goldberg Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

In the latest blind tasting episode of GuildSomm: Into the Glass, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe pours the always-tricky-to-parse Gamay and Pinot Noir comparative for Advanced Sommelier Max Goldberg. Max is based in Los Angeles and is currently the sommelier at Santa Monica's SELINE, a fine-dining restaurant from Chef Dave Beran that opened last year. Previously, Max curated the beverage programs at The Maybourne Beverly Hills and The Peninsula Beverly Hills. He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America.

Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers! Listen to more tasting podcasts: https://www.guildsomm.com/tags/Tasting_2D00_Podcast Read our Science of Tasting expert guide: https://www.guildsomm.com/research/expert_guides/w/expert-guides/2441/the-science-of-tasting Dive into more blind tasting resources on the GuildSomm site: https://www.guildsomm.com/learn/blind-tasting/ Explore GuildSomm membership: https://www.guildsomm.com/recurly/v1/join

Grenache with Seth Kitzke Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

In the latest GuildSomm podcast, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe speaks with Seth Kitzke of Upsidedown Wine about all things Grenache. Seth and his family farm vineyards in Washington's Candy Mountain AVA, among other areas, and focus on Rhône varieties. Chris chats with Seth about Grenache's virtues, challenges, and future in Washington State and beyond.

Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, leave us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers! Learn more about this topic and read Seth's bio on our site: https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/podcasts/b/guild_podcasts/posts/grenache-with-seth-kitzke Explore Upsidedown Wine: https://upsidedownwine.com/ For more resources, become a GuildSomm member: https://www.guildsomm.com/recurly/v1/join

Blind Tasting with Skyler Ring Mar 25, 2025

Show notes

In the latest blind tasting episode of GuildSomm: Into the Glass, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe pours the dreaded so-called Bermuda Triangle of white wines for Texas sommelier Skyler Ring. Skyler has quickly risen through the sommelier ranks and has passed both the theory and service portions of the Master Sommelier exam, with just the tasting portion remaining before he becomes Austin's next Master Sommelier. Skyler began his hospitality career in New York City managing restaurants, and his focus shifted exclusively to wine after moving to Texas, where he has worked at Jeffrey's in Austin and Mastro's Steakhouse in the Post Oak Hotel in Houston. He currently works for importer Wilson Daniels. Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!

Wine Auctions with Lukas Dempsey Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

In the latest GuildSomm podcast, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe speaks with Los Angeles-based Lukas Dempsey, Assistant Vice President and Wine Specialist for Sotheby's wine division. They discuss how wines are acquired, valued, and authenticated for auction, as well as how restaurants can leverage auctions to create more dynamic beverage programs.

Prior to joining Sotheby's, Lukas was a floor sommelier at some of New York City's top restaurants, including The Modern, Masa, and Le Bernardin.

Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, leave us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!

Blind Tasting with Wendy Shoemaker Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

In the latest episode of GuildSomm: Into the Glass, Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe mixes up the format of the blind tasting series. This and upcoming episodes will feature single blind comparatives, which help tasters overcome common misidentifications of similar wines and develop a better understanding of the data points that drive cause and effect. For this episode, three Chardonnays are poured for Advanced Sommelier Wendy Shoemaker, the Western Regional Sales Manager for Frog's Leap Winery in Napa Valley. Wendy, who has a chemistry background, has also worked in some of San Francisco's great restaurants, including Californios and the St. Francis Yacht Club. Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers!

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